Before a potential applicant decides they wish to become a police officer in Florida, they should understand that as with any other job, there are several different police officer job requirements. First of all, an individual who has a felony or other criminal background need not apply, as they will not be accepted.
Having some knowledge in the field of criminal justice is also very beneficial, as it will give the individual in question some knowledge about criminal law and legal proceedings.
Every department in the state of Florida will have different requirements for someone to become a police officer and it is important that someone interested in a particular agency know the educational requirements for that department. Some agencies may even require an individual to undertake an internship before they can be considered to work in their police dept.
Finding a Police Officer Job In Florida
Finding a police officer job opening is not always as difficult as it may seem at first. One outlet someone should utilize is looking through this website for jobs to see if there is any openings in their city/county/town.
Should that prove to be fruitless, they may then call their local department or read the newspaper in order to determine whether or not there is an opening and if they do find that there is an opening, they must determine if it is something they would truly be interested in, for a police force may have positions open for more than an officer- and if one wants to become an officer, they would not wish to apply as a dispatcher or receptionist.
When one ends up setting up an interview time, they will want to remember to dress and behave professionally; for they are seeking employment and possibly a long-term or permanent career.
However, if they are not able to find the information they seek by simply looking for a job opening, they should ask the police department if they list and/or post potential employment opportunities on a certain web site or in a particular publication. The worst thing that could happen is they could be told that there are currently no openings.
Duties & Responsibilities of a Police Officer in Florida
In regard to the job itself, a police officer job description is far different than what most people think, for television has glorified and sensationalized the job a great deal. A police officer will not always be engaged in high-speed chases or capturing extremely dangerous criminals. Behind the scenes, they do have to fill out paperwork and write reports.
It is a very exciting, demanding and challenging job that not everyone will be able to fulfill, but it can be a rewarding job as well. For the main duty of a police officer is to ensure that the general public is and remain safe.
In short, a police officer is a public servant. A potential applicant should understand that they will always be on-call, even on their days off and must be prepared to go to work whenever they may be needed. A potential applicant should be level-headed, able to think on their feet and should not easily buckle under pressure.
